We ate breakfast, and Guy made a mess of the waffle batter. The waffle pan was overfilled and the batter dripped down the table and onto the floor. After Natty cleaned it up and Guy thought it was figured out, he made a mess again on the next batch of waffles. This time Guy had to clean up the mess.
We loaded the orphan kids into the back of the truck and headed back into town. Much dousing was enjoyed along the way. On bucket full of water hit the driver side mirror and twisted it back against the truck.
When we got to Joy’s house, the one group of kids jumped out and a new group jumped in and we headed down South to Nong Kaeo to the wood workers market. We shopped around for a couple hours looking at carvings for decorating the house. We saw a few things we liked but decided to wait for a day to buy anything.
When we got back to Joy’s house, it was very hot. We played in the swimming pool with the children and the squirt guns. There was a French speaking family with three children aged 3 – 9(?), the Swiss couple and a German couple in the pool and three orphans in the water and three other orphans running around with water. It was great fun splashing, and playing in the water.
At 4pm we got out of the pool and the traditional Songkran elder blessing ceremony started. It started with drums, cymbals, dancing, martial arts exhibitions, and lots of spraying water, this time with a hose. During this time elderly neighbors arrived and were seated in places of honor. This is the point that Kaler got scared from all of the loud noise and bustle and Natty had to leave to take him someplace quiet. Once every one was present, then there was traditional Thai dance, martial arts exhibition, traditional Thai music, and more Thai dance. Kaler and Natty returned at this point. Then gifts were given to the elders in exchange for blessings; well wishing for health, happiness, long life, wealth, family, etc. After this the there were more dancing, music, etc. Then there was a feast. After the feast, the children sang some songs, and did their chants. Later, we sat around and sang music to guitar and tambourine.
Parade leading up to the elder blessing ceremony.
Water Spraying before ceremony.
The elders are seated.
Traditional Thai music.
Kaler and Natty enjoying the festivities.
Guy, Kaler and Natty preparing to give gifts to the elders in exchange for blessings.
The elders gave blessings (well wishing for health, happiness, long life, wealth, family, luck, etc.) and tied a string around our wrist as a symbol of the blessings given.
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